Drum Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Drum Castle |
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Drum Castle in 2007
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| General information | |
| Type | Tower house |
| Town or city | Drumoak, Aberdeenshire |
| Country | Scotland |
| Coordinates | 57°05′42″N 2°20′17″W / 57.09503°N 2.33794°W |
| Construction started | 13th Century |
| Owner | National Trust for Scotland |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | possibly Richard Cementarius |
Drum Castle is an amazing old castle located near Drumoak in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. For hundreds of years, it was the home of the leader of the Irvine family, known as Clan Irvine. The name "Drum" comes from a Scottish word meaning "ridge," which describes the land it sits on.
This historic castle is about 6.5 miles (10.5 km) northeast of Banchory. It is also about 3 miles (5 km) west of Peterculter. Today, the National Trust for Scotland owns Drum Castle. This means it's open for everyone to visit and explore!
Contents
The Castle's Story
How Drum Castle Began
The oldest part of Drum Castle is its tall tower, built in the 1200s. Some people think a famous architect named Richard Cementarius might have designed it. He also built the first bridge over the River Don in Old Aberdeen. Drum Castle's tower is one of the oldest and most original tower houses in all of Scotland.
Later, in 1619, a large new section was added to the castle. More changes were made during the Victorian era, which was in the 1800s.
The Irvine Family and the Castle
In 1323, Robert the Bruce, a famous Scottish king, gave the castle and its land to William de Irwyn. William was a close friend and armour bearer to the king. The Irvine family owned Drum Castle for a very long time, over 650 years! They kept it until 1975.
The castle saw some exciting times. During the Covenanting Rebellion, a big conflict in Scotland, Drum Castle was attacked and taken over three times.
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Changes in the 1800s
In the 1800s, Alexander Forbes Irvine of Drum lived at the castle. He inherited it in 1861. He decided to restore parts of the castle's courtyard. He also added a new arched entrance and a small tower on a corner. He helped restore the castle's chapel too.
The chapel itself was once an older church. It was changed into a chapel in the 1500s and 1600s. In 1857, the chapel got a new roof and some parts of its inside were fixed up.
Drum Castle Today
Visiting the Castle
Drum Castle is a very important historical building. It has been a "Category-A Listed property" since 1987. This means it's protected because of its special history and architecture. The Irvine family agreed to give the castle to the National Trust for Scotland in 1964. This agreement officially started in 1976.
Today, you can visit the castle, its beautiful gardens, and the surrounding estate. In 2019, almost 47,500 people visited Drum Castle!
What to See and Do
When you visit Drum Castle, you can explore many interesting areas. The castle has a grand Victorian library with over 4,000 books. It also often has special art exhibitions throughout the year.
The 16th-century chapel is another highlight. It features a lovely stained glass window and a special silver Madonna statue. Outside, you can wander through the Garden of Historic Roses, which has four different sections. There's also a playground for kids, a small shop, and a tearoom where you can get a snack.
You can even rent the chapel, dining hall, or other parts of the estate for special events like weddings.
Ancient History Around Drum
The area around Drum Castle has a very long history. People lived here even in prehistoric times, as shown by places like Balbridie. Ancient Roman soldiers marched through this area. They used old pathways like the Elsick Mounth to cross the Grampian Mountains.
The Elsick Mounth pathway ended at a place where you could cross the River Dee. This was a very important spot! It's believed that Drum Castle was built in this exact location to watch over anyone traveling along the Elsick Mounth.
Gallery
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The Rose Garden at Drum Castle
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Walled Garden, Drum Castle
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Gateway of the Walled Garden at Drum Castle
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North-East corner of the Walled Garden at Drum Castle
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Southern boundary of the Walled Garden at Drum Castle
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Drum Castle Chapel
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Drum Castle chapel Interior & Altar
